Today's local news briefsFROM: New Paltz, Dutchess County, UCCC, town of Ulster

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- During an event today at SUNY New Paltz, New Yorkers Against Fracking and other groups will offer samples of locally produced food and beverages and provide information about keeping food safe from the effects of hydraulic fracturing.

The group will be at the farmers' market outside the campus Lecture Center between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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New Yorkers Against Fracking aims to raise awareness about the effects of fracking -- a controversial method of extracting natural gas from shale formations -- on food, water and air.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- The Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency will accept household hazardous waste and recyclable electronics on Saturday at its facility on Sand Dock Road.

The agency will hold seven other household hazardous waste disposal and electronics recycling days throughout the county, including at the town of Rhinebeck highway garage from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. July 1 and Oct. 5.

The fee is $5 fee, and registration is required at (845) 463-6020 or www.dcrra.org.

Learn about diabetes drugs

TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. -- Ulster County Community College will offer a "Diabetes Medication Update" course for health-care professionals from 6 to 9 p.m. April 18 at the Business Resource Center on Ulster Avenue in the town of Ulster.

This professional development program is geared toward registered nurses, dietitians and other health-care professionals who work diabetics.

The course fee is $49. To register, call (845) 339-2025.

Group urges action on testing

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- A group called ReThinking Testing is encouraging community members, teachers, school staff and students to show solidarity by wearing green to two upcoming "high-stakes testing" days, April 17 and 26.

ReThinking Testing comprises educators, parents and community members who are mounting a public information campaign about what they say are the negative impacts of high-stakes testing. The group wants to move toward student-centered education, authentic assessments and a balanced curriculum that does not shortchange the arts and sciences.